​Maybe you’re thinking of getting a pet, and you want to use astrology to figure out the best time to get one. Animals are split into two categories, with smaller and domestic pets (so cats and dogs and more traditional animals) governed by Virgo, Mercury, and the 6th house, and larger and exotic pets (usually what you’d consider a zoo animal) governed by Pisces, Neptune, and the 12th house.

You can get a pet when you have a transit (moving) planet going through the 6th/12th house, aspecting a natal planet in Virgo/Pisces, aspecting your natal Mercury/Neptune, or aspecting the ruler of your 6th/12th house. You generally want to see positive aspects (sextiles and trines) so it’s an easy transition (though a conjunction by the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or Jupiter can be good as well). Positive aspects by Mercury or Neptune to any part of your chart can be good energy for getting a pet as well.

A return chart with the return planet in the 6th/12th house, the Rising of the return chart in Virgo/Pisces, or the ruler of the 1st house in the return chart in the 6th/12th house can also be good for getting a pet. Your progressed Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars in Virgo/Pisces, the natal or progressed 6th/12th house, aspecting the natal or progressed ruler of the 6th/12th house, or aspecting natal or progressed Mercury/Neptune can also be good for getting a pet.

If you don’t want to wait long, you can use the Moon, who travels quickly (zooms through the entire Zodiac is less then one month). You can get a pet when the Moon will be in your 6th/12th house, or conjunct your 6th/12th house ruler or Mercury/Neptune.

Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto in the 6th/12th house or making a hard aspect (conjunct, square, opposite) to your 6th/12th house cusp, ruler, or Mercury/Neptune can be difficult times to get a pet, and you have a hard time finding one, or it just doesn’t work out the way you thought it would. Retrogrades can be a bad idea for getting a pet if you’re getting a brand new pet; if you’re going to get the same kind of pet that you’ve had before, then doing it under a retrograde is a good time (for example, I have a friend who got the same breed of dog as her previous dog when Venus retrograde conjuncted her 6th house cusp - though it did turn out to be a little hyper!).

​When you're assessing your progressed chart and comparing it to your natal chart, one of the things you can look at is if the progressed angles - the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th house cusps - will be making an aspect to any of your natal planets. House cusps come in pairs with each having an exact opposite house, and the 1st and 7th house cusps are exactly opposite one another, so you can interpret them together. This axis is the axis of relationships, governing your connection to the self (1st house) and to others (7th house). So when they're making an aspect to your natal planets, that aspect impacts your connections with the self and with others.

A sextile/trine (the easy aspects; they go hand-in-hand so if a natal planet is sextile one house cusp, it's trine the other) can show a positive period for your relationships and connections. The Sun grabs your attention and shines a light; the Moon brings emotional focus and emotional connection; Mercury focuses on mental connections and communications; Venus makes interactions pleasant and affection more easily expressed; Mars brings energy and drive to focus on the self and others; Jupiter helps improve connections and can bring beneficial relations; Saturn increases responsibility, stability, and commitment; Uranus helps you make changes with the self or in relationships and bring new/different people in your life; Neptune improves soul connections; and Pluto improves intimacy and promotes growth through connecting.

A square (hard aspect) can show a difficult period with challenges in your connection to the self and others. Balance is often required, balancing your focus on the self with focus on others and addressing your own wants/needs with the wants/needs of others. Often with a square, one ends up taking focus and the other is ignored. This can seem more obvious to you with the Sun; create emotional disruption and insecurity with the Moon; present communication problems and misunderstandings with Mercury; make affection difficult and grow more of a chasm between the self and others with Venus; increase frustration and annoyance with the self/others with Mars; expand on existing challenges with Jupiter; create feelings of restriction/limitation and suffocation or overwhelm with Saturn; create instability and erratic behavior with Uranus; increase delusion, illusion, deception, victimization, or subconscious widen chasms with Neptune; and increase resentment, hostility, manipulation, and struggles over power and control with Pluto.

The 4th and 10th house axis is the axis of foundations, governing your internal foundation and emotional/personal self (4th house) and your external foundation and goals/ambitions/external self (10th house. So when they're making an aspect to your natal planets, that aspect impacts your internal and external foundation/self.

A sextile/trine can show a positive period for the foundation of your life and self. The Sun shines a light; the Moon brings emotional focus on internal and external needs being met; Mercury focuses on personal and professional ideas/plans; Venus brings pleasant energy for balancing the internal and external; Mars brings energy and drive to focus on your foundation and needs; Jupiter helps open opportunities for personal and professional growth; Saturn increases focus on stability and security; Uranus opens you up to changes personally/professionally or to taking different approaches to meeting internal/external needs; Neptune strengthens emotional intuition as well as provides intuitive guidance for your life path; and Pluto gives more power and control over your foundation.

A square can show a difficult period with challenges that can make your foundation feel shaky, and you may focus too much on the personal/emotional/internal or too much on the external/professional/goals. Balance is often required with the square, balancing the internal with the external, the personal with the professional, where you've come from with where you're going. This can seem more obvious with the Sun; create emotional insecurity with the Moon and shake you at your core; present difficulties in communication with Mercury; shake relationship foundations with Venus; stir up frustrations and impulsiveness with Mars; expand on existing issues with Jupiter; make you feel stifled, overwhelmed, and like you're being pushed down/held back with Saturn; generate sudden/unexpected issues with your foundation with Uranus; make it difficult for you to see through the fog to have internal confidence or confidence in your direction with Neptune; and can stir up difficult deeply-held issues with Pluto that impact both your emotional and professional selves.

Conjunctions/oppositions go hand-in-hand (if a natal planet is conjunct one progressed house cusp, it's opposite the other), and show the natal planet has been moved into a new progressed house. This can be interpreted similarly to if that planet was in that house natally as if becomes more natural for you, but with an element of if it were there by transit since it can stimulate developments related to the house (especially at the onset while still conjunct the progressed house cusp).

​We all have hopes and dreams, for our lives and the world, and there are times when we focus on this more than others. The 11th house and Uranus are the rulers of our hopes and dreams, so when we have transits to the 11th house cusp or ruler or Uranus, aspects by transit Uranus, or planets touring the 11th house, this can bring focus to our hopes and dreams. Transit Jupiter in the 11th house, conjunct the 11th house ruler, or conjunct natal Uranus can be some of the best periods you have to pursue opportunities to achieve a hope or dream for your life. You can feel open to trying things in new ways, and taking a chance on opportunities you have. You can also get great energy with transit Uranus conjunct, sextile, or trine your natal Jupiter, 11th house cusp, or 11th house ruler, though this may come with some unexpected energy, more independence, and a stronger willingness to push outside of your comfort zone to achieve your dreams.

Transit Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars tour the 11th house for short period, 1-2 months, and these can be the times during each year where you’re thinking more about what you hope your future will look like and the dreams you have. If Mercury, Venus, or Mars retrograde in the 11th house, this can be one of the more difficult times for your hopes and dreams, and you may question yourself, feel you need to give up, and walk away. This is usually only temporary though, and you can find your way back to your hopes and dreams when the retrograde is over.

Transit Saturn in your 11th house can be tricky. Saturn is the planet of reality, so while he’s in you 11th house, you have the opportunity to make your dreams (11th house) a reality (Saturn), but it usually requires a lot of hard work and dedication - you know, Saturn-style! Same can go for Saturn conjunct your 11th house ruler or natal Uranus. Saturn sextile or trine can be easier energy to work with, but if he’s square or opposite, you may struggle immensely and have much bigger challenges to overcome in order to stay true to your dreams. You may feel you have to be more realistic, and this can make you pessimistic, but that may not actually be true. Your dreams may be attainable, but you can talk yourself out of them. So avoid the pessimism!

Positive transit aspects to your 11th house cusp, ruler, or natal Uranus can be excellent times to focus on your hopes and dreams. You can feel more hopeful, want to pursue opportunities, and can be inspired to change. Pluto can increase passion and intensity for a prolonged period of 2-3 years, while Neptune can guide you intuitively in the right direction for 1-2 years.

Progressed planets moving into your natal 11th house or natal planets moving into your progressed 11th house can bring a strong focus on your hopes and dreams, but for a much longer period of time (can be decades). Transit planets can then trigger the energy, and you can make some major headway when they occur.

What hopes and dreams you have and the approach you take to them can be found with the sign on the 11th house cusp, planets in the house, the sign and house location of the 11th house ruler, and the house location of natal Uranus (check out the 11th house page and natal Uranus page).

There’s also asteroid Pandora (number 55). We all know the story of Pandora’s box. What’s left when it’s all said and done? Hope. So while having a prominent natal asteroid Pandora can be tricky at times, it can also instill in the native an innate sense of eternal hope that things will always work out. Transits to your asteroid Pandora can bring this out or squash it, depending on the planet and aspect. Where asteroid Pandora is touring in your chart may get a little dose of extra hope, helping you to stick with it a little longer. The sign and house location of your natal asteroid Pandora may also show the areas of life where you strive to always be hopeful (in spite of the drama!).

​Here comes 2019! Man, 2018 seems to have really stunk for most people (no joke, like every reading I did this year, people were in a really bad place, and that's not usually the case!). Guess those retrograde, Uranus toying with 2 signs, and the temporary fixed t-square messed with everyone!

Thankfully, those things won't be in play in 2019. There is no Venus or Mars retrograde in 2019, just 3 standard Mercury retrogrades - once in March in Pisces (though that one starts with Mercury at a sensitive point, and is in the same sign as foggy Neptune; it'll also be on the heels of Uranus officially entering Taurus, so that might be a wonky month!), once in July in Cancer and Leo (the last one impacting a fire sign for some time; this retrograde doubles up with the second set of eclipses), and once in November-December in Scorpio (hello stock market wonkiness! we just had a little glimpse of how stocks were impacted by Mercury retrograde in Scorpio for only a week - and next year, Uranus will already be in money-ruling Taurus, so maybe be careful with investments then! I have to admit, I'm a *little* worried about the economy to end 2019).

We'll have 3 planets in home signs next year - Jupiter in Sagittarius, Saturn in Capricorn, and Neptune in Pisces (they're already all in these signs now). This can bring some surprising ease, in a way, to how we deal with the energy each of these planets generate, and we may feel like it's a little easier to expand (Jupiter), progress (Saturn), and intuit (Neptune).

Jupiter will move into Capricorn in December 2019 (there's also a solar eclipse in Capricorn in December), and we'll end the year starting the monster Capricorn stellium as Saturn and Pluto are already in Capricorn. Major surge in ambition, focusing on goals and what we want long-term, how everything comes together and seeing the pieces. Some can reach some great heights, if they've been doing things right, anyway; others may have some long, dangerous falls (you may want to check out the Saturn in Capricorn article HERE).

Uranus flirted with earth sign Taurus this year, but officially enters Taurus March 6th 2019, to stay for almost a decade. Before he goes into Taurus, he'll end a retrograde January 6th at 28 degrees Aries, and will be anaretic for a little bit (29 degrees, a point of crisis energy). Meanwhile Mars enters Aries December 31st 2018, and spends about the first month-and-a-half of 2019 in Aries with Uranus at the end of his time in Aries. And we'll have the first set of eclipses for the year in January, adding fuel. Holy energy, Batman! There may be some major surge to get things done, individually, as a whole, around the world (you can focus this in your own life on the areas of life ruled by the house Uranus is touring). Use it well!

Then Mars will enter Taurus mid-February, and will be in Taurus when Uranus makes the switch, so we'll get energy right away to make the change (you may want to check out the Uranus in Taurus article HERE). Just gotta be mindful of the Mercury retrograde!

In general, 2019 seems like it *should* be easier than 2018 was. But that might be the calm before the storm that will be 2020!

​Eclipses! The new year kicks off with the first set of eclipses for 2019 right away, and we have a solar eclipse on January 5th at 8:42PM ET in Capricorn. This is the first of 3 eclipses in Capricorn next year (big for Capricorns!), and we can focus long-term on our goals and ambitions, the directions our lives are going in, and what we want to achieve and succeed. This can play out individually, and we can see it on a global scale.

Capricorn rules governments, institutions, and politics, so we may see important events, decisions, actions with governments in the world, politically (oh yeah we've got a new Congress coming here in the U.S.), and with large institutions or corporations. There may be new roles, new responsibilities, and new visions.

With Capricorn ruling goals, it's the perfect eclipse to start a brand new year, helping us to get focused, get a little disciplined, put together realistic plans, and figure out how we want the year to go. It may not go exactly according to plan, but we can be practical enough to understand that - and make backup plans!

This eclipse is conjunct (aligned with) Saturn in Capricorn, amplifying the Capricorn energy (since Saturn naturally rules Capricorn. It's also sextile (positive aspect, two signs away) Neptune in water sign Pisces, and we can trust our intuition, uncover what's hidden, use imaginations and creativity, and do more for others.

Then comes a lunar eclipse on January 21st at 12:12AM ET in Leo. This will be the last eclipse for a while in Leo, so there may be some finalizing in a way of things that have been shaping up, in development for the last couple of years. Final decisions being made, finishing touches being put on, last chapters being finished before we move on.

With Leo, we can be more affectionate and want more attention and praise. We want to come together in love and play, and enjoy ourselves a little bit before we get too serious. This can be great creative energy, and we can feel quite inspired. We can get in tune with our hearts, and can feel more generous and bring joy.

This eclipse is super early in Leo at 0 degrees, and doesn't make any aspects in-sign, but will be square (hard aspect, three signs away) Uranus in Aries as an out-of-sign aspect (as if it were in previous sign Cancer). So we may struggle a little with some changes, with sudden developments, with having the independence we want, and can be a little rebellious, restless, impulsive. We need to exercise some restraint and stay focused.

​With Christmas fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to put together a holiday gift guide for the Zodiac signs! It actually was fun picking items for each sign. There are multiple options per sign, and I actually recommend you choose based on the person's Moon sign or Venus sign, if you know them. Why? The Moon governs our emotions, while Venus rules what we take pleasure in. If you get something that resonates with someone's Moon sign, they're more likely to have an emotional connection to it, and if you get something that resonates with someone's Venus sign, they're more likely to enjoy it.

If you want more options, you can also consider the house location (if you know the person's time of birth); just look up the sign that naturally rules the house (1st house = Aries, 2nd house - Taurus, 3rd house = Gemini, 4th house = Cancer, 5th house = Leo, 6th house = Virgo, 7th house = Libra, 8th house = Scorpio, 9th house = Sagittarius, 10th house = Capricorn, 11th house = Aquarius, 12th house = Pisces).

​My one caveat: if their natal Venus is retrograde, try to stick to their Moon (Venus retrograde natives may struggle with their Venus placement until they've worked it out, so to be sure, use their Moon!). You can use the Sun if you don't have their Moon or Venus sign, I just find the Moon and Venus to be more accurate for gift-giving.

This post does contain affiliate links - but I think they're all pretty cool!

Gift Idea for Aries

Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac, a cardinal fire sign, so this is usually the sign that wants to be doing something physical all of the time. Gotta use up all of it's energy! So anything that can help them do physical activities:

If they're not into the outdoors, something they can use indoors may be better, like:​- this 20-pound dumbbell set (if they want to get buff)​- this exercise ball (I used to sit on one whenever I would print a lot of stuff - not even exercising, I just thought it was fun!)- if they can't get away from their computer, they can try this under desk exercise bike (I need to get that)- if they've got some aggression to work on (common Aries problem!), maybe a heavy bag (or if they don't have the place to hang one, a punching ball on a stand)

Gift Ideas for Taurus

Taurus rules the senses - see, smell, hear, taste, touch - so getting them a gift that engages one of the senses is usually going to be the best bet. Food is pretty much numero uno for Taurus, so you can try:​- they've usually got a sweet tooth, so try something like these fancy biscotti cookies- they tend to love food but not slaving away, so something like a pressure cooker/slow cooker they can throw everything into and then let do the rest of the work!- a nice tea sampler can be great, and maybe add in a pretty teapot (I find that a lot of Taureans love teapots, even if they don't love tea! haha)- a subscription to the Food Network Magazine or Food & Wine magazine to get them inspired

Gift Ideas for Gemini

Gemini is the sign of the mind (what active minds they have!), so something that will help them learn, write, or keep track of information is usually good, so things like:​- a fancy fountain pen to write everything down (and don't forget the ink!) and a pretty journal (this one is beautiful and celestial!)- because they love to keep busy, a planner is usually a safe bet (you can go simple like this elephant planner, sooo pretty like this Katie Daisy planner, or go big with this Happy Planner kit)- since they love to learn but hate having to stick with anything for too long, maybe try a book on learning faster!

Gemini also tends to like techie stuff, smaller little gadgets they can play around with, so maybe something like:- a GoPro camera- since Gemini's can be scatterbrained, this gadget can help them if they're constantly losing their phone or keys​- are they gamers? try a gaming headset- okay, this may be the best pick out of all of the signs - a little robot companion!!! (seriously I want this, it's soooo cute! and hello, ROBOTS, can't beat that!)

Gift Ideas for Cancer

Cancer is the sign of the home and family, so think about things that they can use hanging out at home (or vegging out at home!). Something like:

Gift Ideas for Virgo

​Virgo always wants to keep things organized (even if it seems like a mess to everyone else, it’s still a system that makes sense to them!), so something that can help them with that or clear the clutter. You can try something like:

Gift Ideas for Libra

Libra is symbolized by the scales, and prefers peace and balance, harmony and tranquility (hence the love of diplomacy and compromise!). So you can try gifting something that helps put them in a peaceful state, like:

Scorpio also governs what’s taboo, so I find they tends to have a thing for piercings and tattoos, so:- if they have a piercing, you can get them jewelry for that (something for the lip or eyebrow or belly button - won’t even link to the nipple rings! LOL)- if they have a tattoo, you can get them a vegan tattoo butter to take care of it- if they’re piercing and tattoo free, it might be because they’re afraid to do it! So you can get a fake nose ring, a henna tattoo kit, or some temporary tattoos

Gift Ideas for Sagittarius

Sagittarius is the sign of the adventurer, always wanting to go off to some far away place, even if only in their own head, so you can get them something to bring out their inner adventurer, like: